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Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Tuesday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 26 Sunday schedule: 10:30am Mass in the Main Church 11:30am - 12:10pm Novena and Holy Rosary in the Lady Chapel - Each of the nine days focuses on a different element of the icon using a special prayer booklet from Ligouri Publications
- Learn about the icon, make a special request for Our Lady’s intercession and enjoy the peace of the Lady Chapel with fellow parishioners
Unable to join us for the Novena? We will print the prayers and images in the daily eblast each day beginning June 18 through June 27 so you can follow along on your own. Questions? Email Jennifer Farber at thewayolph@gmail.com The Holy Rosary Group invites you to pray the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Before beginning the prayers, close your eyes and become aware of God’s presence with you. Now call to mind what it is you want to ask of Our Lady for this Novena. Let us begin. + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Opening Prayer Most holy and Immaculate Virgin and our Mother Mary, you are our Perpetual Help, our refuge and our hope. We come to you today. We thank God for all the graces received through your intercession. Mother of Perpetual Help, we promise to love you always and to do all we can to lead others to you. Confident of your powerful influence with God, obtain for us these graces: the strength to overcome temptation, a perfect love for Jesus Christ, and a holy death so that we will live with you and your son for all eternity. Amen. Litany of Mary Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us. O Morning Star, pray for us. O Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us. Mother of Christ, pray for us. Mother of Our Savior, pray for us. Cause of Our Joy, pray for us. Virgin Most Venerable, pray for us. Virgin Most Powerful, pray for us.
Day 8: The Archangel Gabriel In the upper corners of the icon are two archangels. The one on your right is the Archangel Gabriel, dressed in purple. He is holding a cross with three horizontal crossbeams and four nails at its foot. This vision of the Passion is what appears to have frightened the Child. Gabriel had once brought news of great joy to the Virgin at the Annunciation. Now he presents the symbols of the Passion, and Jesus becomes afraid at the sight. Yet, Gabriel seems to be adoring the Child and offering Him the symbols from his Passion. Thus, those instruments do not really prophecy some terrible future event, but rather are glorious symbols of his resurrection: the Cross of Glory. All parts of the icon accentuate the reality of suffering. But at the same time there is an emphasis on the triumph of Jesus, depicted in part by the golden background. More than threats of destruction, the cross and nails are trophies of his victory, as if they were taken from Calvary on Easter morning. Consider how your struggles and torments might become instruments for growth in strength and virtue for you. Talk to the Archangel Gabriel. Ask him for help to see the positive aspects of whatever appears horrible or frightening in your life. Scripture Reflection The angel (Gabriel) said, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” LUKE 1:32-33 Let us pray… Glorious Archangel Gabriel, power of God, you were sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of Christ. Holy ambassador of the Most High, intercede for us in our most urgent need. Great Archangel Gabriel, be our guide and protector in the journey of life. Lead us closer to Jesus and Mary. Amen. Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us who have recourse to you. Closing Prayer All powerful and merciful Lord, you give us the picture of the Mother of your Son to venerate under the title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Graciously grant that in all the difficulties of our lives we may be assisted by the continuous protection of the Virgin Mary and obtain the reward of eternal redemption. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. + Pray the Holy Rosary https://www.marian.org/mary/rosary/howto.php All materials are from “Novena Meditations to Our Mother of Perpetual Help” from Ligouri Publications. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Thank you for praying with us today! For more information, contact Jen Farber at thewayolph@gmail.com | 
